Fabio Jakobsen (Soudal-QuickStep) has won stage 2 of Vuelta a San Juan Internacional, with yesterday's stage winner Sam Bennett (Bora-hansgrohe) having to settle for 4th place today.
The Irish rider, who retains the race lead, looked in a prime position to pounce for another victory with 200m remaining of today's 201.km stage from Valle Fértil to Jáchal. However, the same power and acceleration that carried him to victory into San Juan yesterday was not quite there today when he reached for it.
And, to his credit, European champion Jakobsen looked in flying form after an expert lead-out from his team; world champion Remco Evenepoel putting in a huge turn to help set up his Dutch team mate.
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Ineos Grenadiers was the first team with a big name sprinter to take charge on the front in the final; working hard to get its fast man Elia Viviani into contention for the victory. However, the Brirish team was soon outmuscled by Soudal-QuickStep, leading out Jakobsen.
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The Belgian team was dominant on the front of the peloton with 500 metres to go, with TotalEnergies and Bennett's Bora-hansgrohe lined up behind them.
However, Ryan Mullen soon pulled Danny van Poppel, with Bennett in his wheel, to the front. And with about 200 metres to go, Van Poppel was leading, with Bennett shouldering one of the Soudal-QuickStep riders to ensure he kept his lead-out man's wheel.
But just as Bennett kicked for the line with about 150 metres to go, Jakobsen also made his move and was simply faster than the Irishman on this occassion.
Bennett faded a little as the line approached; Jakobsen putting in a fantastic kick to win from Fernando Gaviria (Movistar) and Jon Aberasturi (Trek-Segafredo). Bennett took 4th place after that tussle for Van Poppel's wheel perhaps took a little out of his legs just as the final sprint began.
More to come.
